Effects of Nigerian red propolis in rats infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei

Nweze, Nwakaego Ernestina; Okoro, H. O.; Robaian, Majed Al; Omar, Ruwida; Tor-Anyiin, T. A.; Watson, David; Igoli, John O.

doi:10.1007/s00580-017-2497-0

Cited by 13 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…We have previously reported on the efficacy of Nigerian red propolis (NRP) in rats experimentally infected with T. brucei. Treatment with NRP at 400 and 600 mg/Kg/day resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) reduced parasitaemia and improved blood parameters (higher PCV and HBC) and weight gain compared to a DMSO treated control group (Nweze et al, 2017). This prompted further investigation into the active compounds in NRP.…”

Section: Nigerian Red Propolismentioning

confidence: 98%

A Review of the Antimalarial, Antitrypanosomal, and Antileishmanial Activities of Natural Compounds Isolated From Nigerian Flora

et al. 2020

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The West African country Nigeria features highly diverse vegetation and climatic conditions that range from rain forest bordering the Atlantic Ocean in the South to the Desert (Sahara) at the Northern extreme. Based on data from the World Conservation Monitoring Center of the United Nations Environmental Protection, Nigeria, with ~5,000 documented vascular plants, ranks amongst the top 50 countries in terms of biodiversity. Such a rich biodiversity implies that the country is rich in diverse secondary metabolites—natural products/unique chemicals produced by the plant kingdom to confer selective advantages to them. Like many tropical countries, Nigeria is also endemic to numerous infectious diseases particularly those caused by parasitic pathogens. These phytochemicals have been exploited for the treatment of diseases and as a result, a new branch of chemistry, natural product chemistry, has evolved, to try to reproduce and improve the therapeutic qualities of particular phytochemicals. In this review, we have compiled a compendium of natural products, isolated from Nigerian flora, that have been reported to be effective against certain protozoan parasites with the aim that it will stimulate interests for further investigations, and give impetus to the development of the natural products into registered drugs. In total 93 structurally characterized natural compounds have been identified with various levels of anti-parasite activity mainly from Nigerian plants. The synthesis protocol and molecular target for some of these natural anti-parasite agents have been established. For instance, the anti-plasmodial compound fagaronine (7), a benzophenanthridine alkaloid from Fagara zanthoxyloides has been successfully synthesized in the laboratory, and the anti-trypanosomal compound azaanthraquinone (55) elicits its effect by inhibiting mitochondrial electron transfer in trypanosomes. This review also discusses the barriers to developing approved drugs from phytochemicals, and the steps that should be taken in order to accelerate the development of new antiparasitics from the highlighted compounds.

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Section: Nigerian Red Propolismentioning

confidence: 98%

A Review of the Antimalarial, Antitrypanosomal, and Antileishmanial Activities of Natural Compounds Isolated From Nigerian Flora

et al. 2020

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“…All rats died from the infection, with the rats treated with the 200-400 mg•kg −1 body weight survived slightly longer compared to 100 mg•kg −1 [168]. Nweze et al (2017) appeared to confirm the inefficacy of propolis extract in vivo in treating trypanosomiasis [169]. All infected rats treated died at the end of the trial.…”

Section: Anti-parasitic Properties Of Propolismentioning

confidence: 83%

Antiviral, Antibacterial, Antifungal, and Antiparasitic Properties of Propolis: A Review

Zulhendri

Chandrasekaran²,

Kowacz

et al. 2021

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Propolis is a complex phytocompound made from resinous and balsamic material harvested by bees from flowers, branches, pollen, and tree exudates.Humans have used propolis therapeutically for centuries. The aim of this article is to provide comprehensive review of the antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic properties of propolis. The mechanisms of action of propolis are discussed. There are two distinct impacts with regards to antimicrobial and anti-parasitic properties of propolis, on the pathogens and on the host. With regards to the pathogens, propolis acts by disrupting the ability of the pathogens to invade the host cells by forming a physical barrier and inhibiting enzymes and proteins needed for invasion into the host cells. Propolis also inhibits the replication process of the pathogens. Moreover, propolis inhibits the metabolic processes of the pathogens by disrupting cellular organelles and components responsible for energy production. With regard to the host, propolis functions as an immunomodulator. It upregulates the innate immunity and modulates the inflammatory signaling pathways. Propolis also helps maintain the host’s cellular antioxidant status. More importantly, a small number of human clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy and the safety of propolis as an adjuvant therapy for pathogenic infections.

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“…The mice showed reduced parasitemia and increased survival with no observable toxicity [128]. Similarly, rats infected with T. b. brucei and treated orally with Nigerian red propolis extracts (600 and 400 mg/kg for 5 days) had significantly reduced parasitemia, with higher red cell counts, packed-cell volume, and weight gain than untreated (control) mice [129]. It is important to note that these therapeutic effects were achieved with the crude extracts rather than purified active compounds, which would be expected to have stronger beneficial effects.…”

Section: Propolis Is Active In Vitro and In Vivo Against Trypanosomesmentioning

confidence: 88%

The Strong Anti-Kinetoplastid Properties of Bee Propolis: Composition and Identification of the Active Agents and Their Biochemical Targets

et al. 2020

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The kinetoplastids are protozoa characterized by the presence of a distinctive organelle, called the kinetoplast, which contains a large amount of DNA (kinetoplast DNA (kDNA)) inside their single mitochondrion. Kinetoplastids of medical and veterinary importance include Trypanosoma spp. (the causative agents of human and animal African Trypanosomiasis and of Chagas disease) and Leishmania spp. (the causative agents of the various forms of leishmaniasis). These neglected diseases affect millions of people across the globe, but drug treatment is hampered by the challenges of toxicity and drug resistance, among others. Propolis (a natural product made by bees) and compounds isolated from it are now being investigated as novel treatments of kinetoplastid infections. The anti-kinetoplastid efficacy of propolis is probably a consequence of its reported activity against kinetoplastid parasites of bees. This article presents a review of the reported anti-kinetoplastid potential of propolis, highlighting its anti-kinetoplastid activity in vitro and in vivo regardless of geographical origin. The mode of action of propolis depends on the organism it is acting on and includes growth inhibition, immunomodulation, macrophage activation, perturbation of the cell membrane architecture, phospholipid disturbances, and mitochondrial targets. This gives ample scope for further investigations toward the rational development of sustainable anti-kinetoplastid drugs.

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Effects of Nigerian red propolis in rats infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei

Cited by 13 publications

References 18 publications

A Review of the Antimalarial, Antitrypanosomal, and Antileishmanial Activities of Natural Compounds Isolated From Nigerian Flora

A Review of the Antimalarial, Antitrypanosomal, and Antileishmanial Activities of Natural Compounds Isolated From Nigerian Flora

Antiviral, Antibacterial, Antifungal, and Antiparasitic Properties of Propolis: A Review

The Strong Anti-Kinetoplastid Properties of Bee Propolis: Composition and Identification of the Active Agents and Their Biochemical Targets

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